1 The Voice Online Our Saviour Lutheran Church – Green Bay, WI August 2012 Volume 1, Issue 8 Solitary Refinement On Being Alone…With God By: Pastor Dave Hatch One of the Beatles’ famous songs includes the words, “Look at all the lonely people, where do they all come from?” Crowds. They are everywhere. On the streets - Cars putt- putting as they run errands or putt-putting in the rat race run to work and back. There are so many people buzzing by in cars through town at any given moment; almost countless in number. Where are they coming from? Where are they going? They are lost in the crowd. In the stores - Look left and right, up and down the aisles, ahead of you or behind you at the check-out – lots of people. Each of them, lost in the masses. At the beach in the summertime – Hundreds and thousands of folks! In our living room – Even if we live alone, if we have the television on, we are not really alone, are we? The room is filled with voices and images, ideas, news, thoughts, and constant manmade stimulation. Is there any escape from the crowd, the noises, or the attractions? If we were alone, really alone, absolutely alone, what might that be like? Journey now into your imagination. You are alone. It’s only you at the shore of a little lake, standing in the shade of some evergreens. No more running the race, pushing through the crowd, and blending in as a mere number in the mass of humanity. You are barefoot and dressed in simple, comfortable clothes. Your belongings and obligations are miles away. You are alone now. It’s quiet. Except for songbirds, whispering pines, and the lap of light waves on a shore, it’s pure quiet. Are you comfortable being alone? But you are not alone. You are alone with God. -cont’d on page 2-
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1
The Voice Online
Our Saviour Lutheran Church – Green Bay, WI
August 2012 Volume 1, Issue 8
Solitary Refinement
On Being Alone…With God
By: Pastor Dave Hatch
One of the Beatles’ famous
songs includes the words, “Look
at all the lonely people, where
do they all come from?”
Crowds. They are everywhere.
On the streets - Cars putt-
putting as they run errands
or putt-putting in the rat
race run to work and back.
There are so many people
buzzing by in cars through
town at any given moment;
almost countless in number.
Where are they coming
from? Where are they going?
They are lost in the crowd.
In the stores - Look left and
right, up and down the
aisles, ahead of you or
behind you at the check-out
– lots of people. Each of
them, lost in the masses.
At the beach in the
summertime – Hundreds
and thousands of folks!
In our living room – Even if
we live alone, if we have the
television on, we are not
really alone, are we? The
room is filled with voices and
images, ideas, news,
thoughts, and constant
manmade stimulation.
Is there any escape from the
crowd, the noises, or the
attractions?
If we were alone, really
alone, absolutely alone, what
might that be like?
Journey now into your
imagination. You are alone. It’s
only you at the shore of a little
lake, standing in the shade of
some evergreens. No more
running the race, pushing
through the crowd, and blending
in as a mere number in the
mass of humanity. You are
barefoot and dressed in simple,
comfortable clothes. Your
belongings and obligations are
miles away.
You are alone now.
It’s quiet.
Except for songbirds,
whispering pines, and the lap of
light waves on a shore, it’s pure
quiet.
Are you comfortable being
alone?
But you are not alone. You are
alone with God.
-cont’d on page 2-
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The Voice Online
-cont’d from page 1-
Are you comfortable with that?
You are an individual, standing
alone in the presence of the
Mighty Creator. Talk to Him;
that is prayer. Recall Scripture
and He is talking to you. Do you
have anything to hide? They are
not hidden, He sees them and
He has seen them all along. Do
you have fear? You stand before
the One who casts out all fear.
Perhaps this is what Jesus
meant when He said to go into a
closet and pray. As Matthew 6:6
describes, we might go to an
alone place; not only so we don’t
put our devotional life on
display, but that we might be
alone with Him and away from
our distractions.
The devotional life of the
Christian is not an obligation. It
is not merely a habit. It is
relational; just you and your
God, alone. You were alone with
Him when He made you and you
will be alone with Him at the
judgment. No hiding in a crowd,
there will be no hoping to be
missed when He calls your
name. Let’s get comfortable with
Him now, on a personal level.
Let’s be alone with Him now.
We don’t need to be at the shore
of a little remote lake to be
alone with God. Set reason
aside, set emotions aside, set the
aches of the body aside and by
faith, be alone with your
Creator-Redeemer. “Come unto
me all you who labor and are
heavy laden and I will give you
rest” Matthew 11:28. Does that
mean come to worship? Yes,
right this moment. Does that
mean come to the church service
and if you miss it, you must hold
your coming for another seven
days? No. Bow your head
wherever you are and be alone
with your God…. You are then
at worship.
Come unto me all you who labor
and are heavy laden and I will
give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
When the congregation gathers,
that is being alone with your
God also, but in the setting of a
family reunion, of sorts. Group
[Corporate] worship is the
power of a community in prayer,
song, and all the parts of
worship.
Stalled in traffic and in the
middle of a crowd? Bow your
head and pray and you are alone
with God. Are you just one of a
million on a summer sand
beach? No you are not, bow your
head and you are alone with
your Redeemer. Waiting for an
elevator along with 10 other
people? Think on Him and you
are alone with your Creator.
Putting our faith into practice is
not just trying to be more loving,
forgiving, or attempting to be
patient. Those are fruits of faith;
they come automatically as we
grow closer to Christ in our
private devotional life. Putting
our faith into practice begins
with the inner self; trusting
Him, talking to Him, listening
to Him, and stepping away from
the distractions when we are
alone with Him.
If we think faith is knowledge
about God, then all we are is
knowledgeable. Faith is another
dimension beyond knowledge.
It is about being in the presence
of the Living God by spending
time internally, in our own
chapel, by quiet faith in the
sanctuary of our soul. There, we
can be alone with God; at peace
with Him, comforted by Him; at
peace with ourselves by His
grace; and from there, at peace
with all people. “As much as it
depends on you, be at peace
with all people” Romans 12:18.
-cont’d on page 3-
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August 2012
-cont’d from page 2-
The Scripture says, “We have
been surrounded by a great
cloud of witnesses” Hebrews
12:1. When reading the
biographies and writings of
Christians who have come and
gone before us, oh my, can our
faith take leaps.
Regarding the topic of this
article, “Solitary Refinement”,
please meet Lawrence (aka
Brother Lawrence). He worked
in a kitchen where other
Christians gathered for meals in
a place where these other folks
lived (a monastery).
Lawrence lived in the 1600s. His
faith took leaps when he
concentrated on being, “In The
Presence of God” by communing
with His Lord wherever he was,
no matter what he was doing.
That is, he was always “alone
with God”, even when in a
crowd. Here are a few of his
words…
Pray, remember what I have
recommended to you, which is,
to think often on GOD, by day,
by night, in your business, and
even in your diversions. He is
always near you and with you;
leave Him not alone. You would
think it rude to leave a friend
alone, who came to visit you:
why then must GOD be
neglected? Do not then forget
Him, but think on Him often,
adore Him continually, live and
die with Him; this is the
glorious employment of a
Christian…*
Put your faith into practice.
Get away from the crowd.
Being alone with Him might
mean turning off the television.
Find a quiet place in your soul.
Be alone with God, as an
individual, just you and Him.
Tell Him everything. Hide
nothing. Be refreshed with His
words of promise. Do this often,
daily, multiple times daily, and
see your faith grow like Jack’s
beanstalk.
Go into the inner sanctuary of
your soul and you will have
solitary refinement… “And the
Peace of God which transcends
all understanding will guard
your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.
* The Practice of the Presence of
God: The Best Rule of Holy Life
being Conversations and Letters
of Brother Lawrence (Public
Domain)
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
120 S. Henry Street
Green Bay, WI 54302
(920) 468-4065
Senior Pastor – David H. Hatch Church Office – Michelle Burhite
September 2012 OSLC Usher Schedule Day Date Service Lead Usher Team
Sun. 02-Sep 7:45 am J. Kielpikowski Chad Kielpikowski; Ron Klumb; †UN
Sun. 02-Sep 9:15 am R. Vande Hei Walt Juhnke; Tiffany Duff; Brian Duff; Chelsea Vande Hei; Rachel Vande Hei
Sun. 02-Sep 10:45 am G. Buechner Carmen Leuthner; Lloyd Leuthner; DeVonte King; Rich Spangenberg
Thu. 06-Sep 7:00 pm C. Arthur Carl Zimonick; Gary Kirchman; Dick Zimonick
Sun. 09-Sep 7:45 am M. Dalebroux Andrew Prescher; Al Brietlow; Barry Dalebroux
Sun. 09-Sep 9:15 am D. Bitters Robin Williams; Frank Helebrant; Don Schultz; Shelly Williams; Trey Boerschinger
Sun. 09-Sep 10:45 am M. Charles Don Larson; Karen Kiekhaefer; Hunter Alft
Thu. 13-Sep 7:00 pm P. Kuehl Bill Baneck; †UN; †UN
Sun. 16-Sep 7:45 am M. Morgan Vernon Siech; Gloria Morgan; Ralph Hoerchler
Sun. 16-Sep 9:15 am W. Chamberlain Randy Dyle; Roxanne Dyle; Alex Chamberlain; McKenzie Waniger; Nathan Scholz
Thu. 20-Sep 7:00 pm B. Clayton Anthony Clayton; †UN; †UN
Sun. 23-Sep 7:45 am A. Knaus Clarence Ney; Josh VanKauwenberg; Jerry VanKauwenberg
Sun. 23-Sep 9:15 am D. Wians Lonnie Peerenboom; Todd Korth; Barb Korth; Davis LaMarche; Dan Richer
Sun. 23-Sep 10:45 am G. Buechner Carmen Leuthner; Lloyd Leuthner; DeVonte King; Rich Spangenberg
Thu. 27-Sep 7:00 pm C. Arthur Carl Zimonick; Gary Kirchman; Dick Zimonick
Sun. 30-Sep 7:45 am J. Kielpikowski Chad Kielpikowski; Ron Klumb; †UN
Sun. 30-Sep 9:15 am R. Vande Hei Walt Juhnke; Tiffany Duff; Brian Duff; Chelsea Vande Hei; Rachel Vande Hei
Sun. 30-Sep 10:45 am M. Charles Don Larson; Karen Kiekhaefer; Hunter Alft
† UN -Usher Needed: If you'd like to volunteer as an usher; Please contact the Lead usher of the group you'd like to join, Or, contact Rich Spangenberg (920) 857-3014 or email "[email protected]"
One Person’s Trash;
Another’s Treasure Please collect the following items and bring them
to church when you visit. You can collect from
your own purchases and even ask your friends,
relatives, and neighbors to collect them for you.
Most items can be placed in the containers by the
preschool entrance in the main hallway; other
items can be placed at the collection center near
the 2nd floor elevator.
Coke reward points - These can be found on the
caps of Coke products as well as on the cardboard
of multipacks (12, 20, or 24 packs) or Dasani water
overwraps. Green Bay Trinity will redeem those
points for school supplies.
Box Tops for Education - Green Bay Trinity
receives $0.10 for each one redeemed. The Box
Tops program offers bonus points with certain
purchases, usually connected with Copps. You can
also sign up at www.boxtops4education.com to
receive information on specials as well as
sweepstakes entries for bonus points.
Milk caps - Please bring in the specially marked
milk caps from Morning Glory, Kemps, and Kwik
Trip as well as the symbol from Kemps Cottage
Cheese containers. These are three separate but
similar programs. These are redeemed for cash by
Green Bay Trinity. NOTE: The Kemps program
will be ending on November 1, 2012 and all caps
need to be redeemed by that date. Please make
sure to bring in all of your Kemps caps as soon as
possible.
Capri Sun pouches - Green Bay Trinity recycles
the empty drink pouches for $0.02 per package.
These are up-cycled into pencil cases…have you
seen them in the stores?
Empty ink jet cartridges - These can be donated to
Sunday School Registration Form / 2012-2013 School Year
Sunday School is open to children from age 4 up to, and including, 6th grade. Classes will begin on September 23, 2012. Please bring your child(ren) with you to the 9:15am worship service. They will be dismissed to their classrooms after the Children’s Message (around 9:30). Sunday School will run until 10:30am, regardless of when the church service is concluded. Please be patient when picking up your children and allow your child’s
teacher time to finish each week’s lesson. Thank You.
Step Father: ________________________________ Step Mother: _______________________________ Children primarily live with: (Circle One) Mom Dad Both Parents Our church membership is at (church name/denomination/city) ____________________________________ --------------------------------- Person to be notified in case of emergency (other than mom and dad):
Name: Address:
Phone: Relationship: Person(s) authorized to pick up child(ren) after class: --------------------------------
I, __________________________, will help support the Christian Learning of my child/children by:
Helping with classroom activities Offering transportation for other students if possible Help set up/take down classroom tables/chairs if needed before or after class ______Other:
Please contact me at (email/phone) ___________________________ to discuss how I can help as noted above. *EMAIL addresses are essential way of communication – we can send you our Parent Updates more efficiently.
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The Voice Online
We take lots of pictures of all the children throughout the year at various events. By signing below, I give permission for use of my child (ren)’s photos in a display for the sole purpose of promoting the growth of Christian Education at OSLC.
Printed Name: _________________________ Signature:____________________________________ Date: ____________ Please complete the following information for each child you are registering to attend Sunday School. If child’s last name if different than the family’s last name above, please include it below.
Name: Age: Male / Female Date of Birth: Baptism Date: Grade this school year: Personal Email: __________________ -----------------
Name: Age: Male / Female
Date of Birth: Baptism Date:
Grade this school year: Personal Email: __________________ ----------------- Name: Age: Male / Female
Date of Birth: Baptism Date:
Grade this school year: Personal Email: __________________ ------------------- Name: Age: Male / Female
Date of Birth: Baptism Date:
Grade this school year: Personal Email: __________________ ----------------- Name: Age: Male / Female
Date of Birth: Baptism Date:
Grade this school year: Personal Email: __________________ -----------------
** Please list any special learning problems for each child: _______
** Please list any special health problems for each child: (Diabetic, Food Allergies, etc.) _____________________________________________________________________________
** Other helpful information we should know:
August 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
August 13: Deadline for articles for The Voice Online
August 15 at noon: Super Sale Donation Deadline
August 18 at 8am: Super Sale Begins
September 6 and 9: ‘The Truth Project’ – 1st Class
September 16: Fall Rally (no 10:45am Service)
1 9am Super Sale Work
12pm Staff Meeting
6pm Praise Band
6:30pm Youth Board
7pm P&F Meeting
7pm Youth/Young
Adult Bible Study
2 9am Super Sale Work
12:15pm Worship
7pm Trad Worship
3 9am Super Sale Work
4pm Dyle / Vargas
Wedding Rehearsal
4 10am Fellowship Hall
Rental
3pm Dyle / Vargas
Wedding
5
7:45am Trad Worship
9:15am Worship
10:45am Trad Worship
12pm Golf Outing at
The Woods
TBD Softball Playoffs
6 9am Super Sale Work
7 7am Bible Study
9am Bible Study
9am Super Sale Work
8 9am Super Sale Work
12pm Staff Meeting
6pm Trinity
Registration
6pm Praise Band
7pm Youth/Young
Adult Bible Study
9 9am Super Sale Work
12:15pm Worship
7pm Trad Worship
10 9am Super Sale Work
6pm Spencer /
Lawniczak Wedding
Rehearsal
11 2pm Spencer /
Lawniczak Wedding
12 Communion
Mite Box Sunday
7:45am Trad Worship
9:15am Worship
9:15am Bible Study
10:30am Bible Study
10:45am Trad Worship
TBD Softball Playoffs
13 9am Super Sale Work
6pm Church Council
Submission Deadlilne
for The Voice Online
14 6:30am Partisan Primary
Election
7am Bible Study
9am Bible Study
9am Super Sale Work
15 9am Super Sale Work
12pm Staff Meeting
12pm Super Sale
Donation Deadline
6pm Praise Band
7pm Youth/Young
Adult Bible Study
16 9am Super Sale Work
12:15pm Worship
7pm Trad Worship
7pm Packers at Home
vs Cleveland
17 9am Super Sale Work
18 8am Super Sale (until
4pm)
19
7:45am Trad Worship
9:15am Worship
9:15am Bible Study
10:30am Bible Study
10:45am Trad Worship
20 7pm Board of
Education
21 7am Bible Study
9am Bible Study
22 12pm Staff Meeting
6pm Praise Band
7pm Youth/Young
Adult Bible Study
23 12:15pm Worship
7pm Trad Worship
24 6pm Sauer / Wagner
Wedding Rehearsal
25 1:30pm Sauer /
Wagner Wedding
26 Communion
7:45am Trad Worship
9:15am Worship
9:15am Bible Study
10:30am Bible Study
10:45am Trad Worship
12pm Fellowship Hall
Rental
27 6pm Trinity Back to
School Night
6:30pm GBLSA
7pm Stewardship
28 7am Bible Study
8am OLM Meeting
8:30am 3 y/o Preschool
Open House
9am Bible Study
10am 4K Open House
6pm Praise Band
7:30pm PB Meeting
29 First Day of School for
Trinity
12pm Staff Meeting
6:30pm Preschool
Orientation
7pm Youth/Young
Adult Bible Study
30 12:15pm Worship
6pm Packers at Home
vs Kansas City
7pm Trad Worship
31 11:30 Early Dismissal for
Trinity
The Voice Online
OSLC Business Directory Advertisements in the business directory help Our Saviour defray the cost of ‘The Voice Online’ each month.
If you would like to advertise, please contact Michelle in the Church office at (920) 468-4065 or
LABOR DAY WEEKEND FAMILY RE-TREAT!! August 31-September 3- Plan now for a meaningful and relaxing week-end with your family at summer’s end. You can join with other families with the weekend’s fun activities or open your own trails to fun and bonding as a family. There will be adult and child age-appropriate Bible study sessions to add faith growth to your new family tradition!
SCRAP, CRAFT AND QUILT! Oct 26-28 – Women of all ages and crafting levels, bring your supplies and enjoy time to craft, share and fellowship together! There will be attendees from novice to expert so there will be much to learn and to teach. There will be spiritual growth time as the days begin and end and throughout the day while you craft. Go to www.campluther.com to learn more.
COUPLES RETREAT!! Sept 21-23- Couples of every age can benefit from time well spent together. Here is a great weekend to do just that! Enjoy camp or local activities, take part in guest speaker Bible study and learning, enjoy devotions offered by camp staff and cap it all off with a candlelit dinner!! Grow, bond and recharge at the Camp Luther Couples Retreat.
VOLUNTEER AT CAMP LUTHER! Join us for our fall Workbee, October 19-21 Workbees are great fun for adults and families. They run from Friday evening through Sunday lunch. It’s FREE, and it’s a great way to give back as a family and help children learn about Christian service. Join us this year! Register at www.campluther.com.
LIVE, LAUGH, AND LOVE LADIES RETREAT!! Oct 5-7 – Refuel in God’s Word and the company of other awesome women at this “just for ladies” retreat. The schedule is designed to draw you closer to God and to each other through a variety of individual, large group and small group activities. There will also be trips to Cranberry Fest in Eagle River, a Ladies night out, plus walking, biking or canoeing amid the beautiful fall colors!
CHOOSE CAMP LUTHER WITH YOUR THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS!! It’s easy and it benefits Camp Luther and Every Kid to Camp! Log on to www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and get started TODAY!! Eligibility is established by Thrivent and by your premiums, account values and volunteer leadership! You simply go online and they do the rest. THANK YOU for giving to Camp Luther!!
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!! We now have over 1850 likes on Facebook, so join us there to hear what’s happening at Camp, to share memories and to spread the word about the ministry and joy that is Camp Luther.
Camp Luther is a subsidiary ministry of the North Wisconsin District-LCMS. Our mission is to build up the Body of Christ for service to the church and witness to the world.
Camp Luther/1889 Koubenec Road/Three Lakes, WI 54562/877-264-CAMP "Camp Luther is a subsidiary ministry of the North Wisconsin District LCMS."
BRICKS FOR MORTGAGE REDUCTION!! Leave your mark as part of the legacy that is the ministry of Camp Luther. You can support the effort to reduce and remove the mortgage and also leave a remembrance on a brick in Camp’s beautiful courtyard. Your gift of $500 or more makes a difference!! Go to www.campluther.com to learn more.